Happy New Year to you! Here's hoping that 2025 kicks 2024's butt in every possible way.
One of my annual traditions is to pick a word out theme for the year. This idea was first brought to my attention when co-worker asked me what my word for the year was going to be when I told her that I had a birthday coming up. Since my birthday is so close to the New Year, I combined my birthday word of the year and my New Year's Resolution into one th
Last year, my phrase for the year was Depth and Intimacy. I wanted to not just do things but to actually do them well. This included my work but also my relationships and my life with Jesus. Overall, I think I did an ok job of pursuing more depth and intimacy. There were definitely times when efficiency and distraction won out and there's still more work to be done in this area. But, it felt like the right word for the year.
This year, my word is JOY. If I'm honest, there were a lot of areas where things were really hard last year (as I'm sure was the case for a lot of people). I survived the year and some good things happened but it really felt more like a struggle and a fight than anything. There was a lot of frustration in a lot of areas of life and by the end of the year, I was tired on a number of different levels.
So, the hope for 2025 is for me to focus more on JOY. I'm defining JOY as "contentedness in the midst of all circumstances." The reason why JOY is possible regardless of the circumstance is because I know the end of the story. When you know that things work out in the end, it's easier to enJOY the ride.
An example that has helped me has been thinking about has been roller coasters. For the record, I hate roller coasters, but that's a motion sickness thing. Megan and the kids LOVE roller coasters. The question has to be asked though: what is enJOYable about roller coasters though? Why would anyone enJOY spinning around, steep drops, and things like that? I think it has something to do with the fact that the rider knows the end of the story. They know that the coaster is safe and that they'll end up back on solid ground. If you were in a plane that was doing the same motions, it would probably be terrifying because you didn't know how the story was going to end. But, with a roller coaster, you know that you'll be safe, so you can enJOY the feeling of being out of control.
My hope for the year is to focus on God's goodness, his abundance, and his provision as a way for me to enJOY all the different parts of life as they come. I know that God loves my kids, so I can parent with JOY, even when things feel out of control. I know that God has called me to this work with InterVarsity, so I can do my work with JOY, even when things aren't going as I hoped they would go. The theory is that by focusing on the end of the story, I'll be able to bring more JOY into my life and bless others with that JOY.
I'd love you to join me in a journey of a Word of the Year for 2025. Maybe you'd like to join me in JOY. But it could be something else too. Whatever it is, I hope that God blesses you in 2025 with everything that he has for you and that you'll experience more of Him.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
~Adam
No comments:
Post a Comment